Ventilator



Aug. 12, 1941. C IJ 2,252,179

VENTILATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet l 5&

Filed April 13; 1959 2, 1941. H, c. HUEGLIN 2,2 2, 79

VENTILATOR 1 Filed April 13, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 lma/v,

Patented Aug. 12, 1941 Herman G. Hueglin, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Airmaster Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application April 12,1939, Serial No. 267,535 10 Claims, (01. 98-116) The present invention relates to ventilators, and more particularly to motor driven fans used to ventilate rooms in a building such as, for example, kitchens of homes, restaurants, and'the like, by removing the air and forcing it out to atmosphere or some other point of discharge.

Ventilating fans of this type are well known and, generally speaking, they are supported upon a plate or other rigid member'fastened to the wall of a building and the fan and driving motor therefor being mounted so' as to force air out of the room into the atmosphere. Sometimes the ventilating fan is mounted on a panel so as to be supported in the upper part of. a window. Since the opening throughwhich the fan directs air leads to the outside, it is usual to provide some form of pivoted vanes or louvres and arrange them to open when the fan is in operation to provide for the exhaust of air from the room and to close when thefan is not in operation so as to eliminate drafts and cold air coming back into the room and to prevent the entrance of insects or the like.

In many instances the pivoted vanes or louvres have been of light construction and arranged for where the blast of air is relied upon to keep the vanes or louvres open, the total air discharge is reduced by something like 30%. In an effort to avoid the disadvantages of a construction of this nature, it has been proposed to provide mechanical means for opening and closing the vanes,

with some sort of mechanical linkage associated therewith for turning on the fan and simultaneously opening the vanes, such as are shown in my two prior patents, 1,894,930, issued January 17, 1933, and 2,084,807, issued June 22, 1937. While, in general, ventilating fans of this type have proven successful, it would be an ad vantage to eliminate all mechanical interconnecting means while yet positively and firmly holding the louvres tightly closed until such time as the fan is turned on. Frequently, also, the ventilating fans are placed quite high, and where doors or switches, which form a part of the ventilating fan unit, have to be operated by hand,

the necessary connections may be long and more 7 or less unsightly or inconvenient.

With the above features in mind, the object and general nature of this invention is the pro- Vision of a ventilating fan in which the louvres are made of heavy gauge steel or other sturdy materialand are. positively held tightly closed until the fan motor is turned on, whereupon the louvres will be opened by positive acting means of an electrical nature, connected either in series or parallel, as desired, but usually. in parallel withthe fan motor with both controlled by a single switch. Mechanical operating linkages may, in certain cases, require considerable force to operate, especially if the louvres are closed by a strong spring, and may be quite difi'icult or inconvenient to operate, particularly from a point remote from the ventilator unit. By the present invention, all mechanical operating connections between the motor switch and the apparatus for opening and closing the vanes are eliminated, and, instead, all control is eifected by turning a switch which can be disposed wherever desired.

More specifically, it is a feature of this invention to provide a ventilating fan construction having rigid louvres controlled by an electrical unit in the. nature of a stall motor positively connected with the louvres, the stall motor being mounted adjacent the fan and arranged to be energized simultaneously with the energization of the fan motor itself. An advantage of this arrangement is that merely turning a switch or otherwise directing a flow ofcurrent to the fan motor also automatically operates the stall motor which opens the louvres, and permits a practically unrestricted discharge of air therethrough. It has been found that withsuch an arrangement a twenty inch fan will provide the effective capacity supplied by a twenty-four inch fan where the air blast was relied uponto hold the louvres open. Then when the fan motor is turned off, the stall motor is automatically deenergized and a relatively strong spring or other suitable means automatically returns the louvres to their closed position and holds them tightly closed and prevents them from chattering or rattling, which frequently occurred in prior devices where the louvres were of light material and more or less loosely mounted for free movement. The use of as'tallmotor in this connection is especially advantageous since it can be directlyconnected in parallel-with the fan motor and can exert a sufficiently strong pull to open the vanes as soon as the fan motor is turned on, and the spring or other means against which the stall motor acts can also be made strong so that when the fan is not in operation the louvres are maintained tightly closed at all times.

Another feature of this invention is the mounting' of the louvre controlling stall motor' sufiiciently close to the opening through which the fan discharges air that 'the air moving toward the fan sweeps over the stall motor and keeps the same cool when it is in the operation of holding the louvres open.

A further feature of this invention is the provision of suitable reduction gearing for the stall motor with improved mounting and bearing means for the gearing which makes it especially adapted for use with a fan and louvre unit.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description of a proposed structural embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred form of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a rear view of a ventilating fan constructed according to the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a View, taken on a reduced scale, of the outside of the fan unit shown in Figure 1, with the louvres closed;

Figure 3 is a side view of the unit shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken generally along the line 4-4 of Figure 1, the fan and fan motor being omitted;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary section taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view taken along the line 6-5 of Figure 1, showing the stall motor casing;

Figure '7 is a sectional View, taken along the line 'I'I of Figure 1; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the base of the stall motor and support for the reduction gearing.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 1, 3 and 4, the reference numeral I indicates in its entirety a supporting frame for the unit and which comprises a panel 2, preferably formed of plywood, having a large central opening 3 therein. A channel ring 5 embraces the walls of the opening 3, and has a central section 6 with flanges I and 8 disposed at opposite sides of the panel 2. The channel ring 5 is split, as at 9 (Figures 1 and 4), to facilitate springing the ring 5 into place in the opening 3. The ring 5 protects the opening and prevents the panel from splitting or splintering in service. The supporting frame I also includes a pair of brackets I2 and I3 each consisting of a generally vertically disposed U- shaped pipe member I4 having ends I5 and I6 (Figure 3) extending generally horizontally toward the panel and threaded into sockets I1. Each of the sockets I I has a pair of ears I8 which are apertured to receive bolts I9 by which the sockets, after being threaded onto the ends I5 and I6, are securely fastened to the panel 2 just outside the ring 5.

As best shown in Figure 1, the two pipe members I4 are disposed at spaced apart relation and receive therebetween a fan and motor unit indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 25. The unit 25 includes a fan 26 supported on a shaft 27 which projects from an electric motor 28. The motor is secured to a saddle member 3|. The member 3I is relatively narrow and has ends 32 disposed between a pair of cushioning strips 34 and 35. Also, the ends 32 of the member 3| are disposed in a horizontal position between spaced lugs 36 and 31. (Figure 3) which extend inwardly from a supporting sleeve 38, which is adjustably secured to the pipe members I4 by set screws 4| or the like. The lugs 36 and 31 are apertured to receive bolts 43 and 43, the bolts also passing through the cushioning members 34 and 35. The lower ends of the bolts 43 and 44 pass through short channel members 45 and 41 (Figure 3) which embrace the associated lower cushioning member 35, the upper ends of the bolts passing through apertures in the strip 4-8 which overlies the cushioning member 34. A third bolt 5| passes through an intermediate channel member 52 (Figure 1) and upwardly through the cushioning members 3 and 35, the lug 32 on the motor supporting saddle 3I, and a hole in the central portion of the upper strip 38.

The motor 28 is thus connected at each side to the associated supporting member I4, and since there is no metal-to-metal contact, the motor and fan operate silently and without vibration. The sleeves 38 may be adjusted vertically to dispose the fan axis coincidental with the center of the panel opening 3.

The fan 26, the motor 28 for driving the fan, and the supporting means for the motor and fan are disposed at one side of the panel 2. At the other side of the opening 3 is a louvre-supporting frame or casing indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 60. The casing 69 includes an angle member 5| having its shorter flang 62 cut, as at 33 and 64, to permit the angle 6| to be bent at points to form the top and sides of the casing I50, the top being indicated at 65 and the sides at 63 and 61. At the points where the shorter flange E2 of the angle 63 is out, small segments 68 and 33 are welded to the cut portions of the shorter flange, as best shown in Figure 2. The bottom of the casing 60 consists of an angle member ID having its vertical flange II disposed in the plane of the vertical flanges of the top and sides 65, 66, and 6?, the horizontal flange I2 of the angle Iii being bent upwardly, as at I3 (Figure 4). Segments I4 are Welded to the adjacent flanges and materially contribute to the rigidity of the casing 63. The latter is secured to the panel 2 by a plurality of screws 15.

A narrow channel member 35 is secured to the inner surface of each of the flanges 66 and 5'! and is apertured at a plurality of points to receive bushings iiI in which the pivots 82 of a plurality of louvres 83 are received. The pivots 82 and the louvres 83 are disposed horizontally,

as best indicated in Figure 2. The louvres 83 preferably are made of heavy gauge steel or other sturdy stock, and are crimped, as at 85, to receive a strip of felt 86 whereby the lower edge of each louvre closes tightly against the upper portion of the next lower louvre. The lowermost louvre 83 closes against the upturned flange I3 on the angle I9, as best shown in Figure 4. The upper portion of each louvre is bent, as at 87, so as to dispose the pivot of each louvre in a plane inwardly of the general plane of the louvres when they are closed. A strip 9| is riveted or otherwise secured to the upper flange 65 and is bent downwardly, as at 92, and crimped to receive a felt strip 93. This strip lies against the portion of the upper louvre receiving the pivot 82 and thereby maintains a seal at this point which is tight at all times, both when the upper louvre is in closed position and when it is moved to open position.

A bracket IUI is fixed, as by rivets IE2 or the like, to each louvre, and each bracket has an arm I63 which extends inwardly and upwardly, and a vertically disposed common operating member IE4 is pivoted to the end of each of the arms I33. A strong spring I36 has its upper end connectedtoan adjusting screw I01 andits lower end engaged in one of a plurality ofholes I08 formed in the operating member I04, as-best shown in Figure 4-. The spring I06-acts through the common operating member I 04 to hold all ofv the louvres tightly closed when the fan 26 is not in operation. In the closed position; the ends of the louvres lie against the edges of the vertical channels 80- and, also, the ends of the 'louvres 83 fit fairly snugly against the side flanges 66 and 61.. Hence the casing-60, with its pivoted louvres,.forms--a vermin-proof and substantially air-tight closure when thelouvresare shut. I The spring I 06 being strong and the louvres 83 being formed of steel or other suitablematerial and relatively rigid, it. will be'seen that there'islittle possibility of drafts andair currents finding their way through the closed louvres, andit is practically impossible for normal variations in air pressure to force the louvres open or cause them to rattle or chatter.

The louvres 83 are opened by means of aflex ible element IIO,- such as a chain, cord, or cable, that is fixed by means ofa connector III to the, lower end of the common operating member I04. The element IIO extends downwardly through an opening II3 in the horizontal flange of the angle and is trained around asheave II4 Whichis pivoted ona bracket H5 carried by the angle 10. An opening I I6 is formed in the lower portion of panel 2, and'thecorresponding portion of theverticalflange TI and the'element IIIlpasses-through the opening H6 and has its end secured, as by a cotter key 1, to a cylindrical winding member I I8. If desired, the latter may be in the form of a worm having-aspiral The member IIB is fixed to the. shaft.

roove. I 2i of a stall motor unit, indicated in; its entirety in Figures 1 and 3'by the referencenu meral I22. The cotter key M1 to which thecend of the element IIiI. is secured also serves EtSthe. means for fixing the member I It to the shaft IZI Figures 1, 3, 6, 7, and -8 and includes a casing I25 which consists of a cover I26 anda motor and gearing support or base 121; latter is pref erably formedof brass and the covermay be a casting ofaluminum or other suitable material. The motor proper is indicated at I223 and is of conventional construction. The base I21 formed with apertured lugs I353 which receives screws I3I that secure the base and cover together, and the base I21 is also provided with a tapped boss I32 and an integral transverse bridge I33 which carries two spaced. lugs I34 having holes I35 drilled therein. The motor I28 is mounted on the lugs I34, as best shown in Figure '1, and the body of the base I 21-has opens ings I31 which provide for the insertion of screws- I3B (Figure 7) which secure the motor ifi in place. The base I21hasopen sections I 39 which provide for ventilation and reduce the weight of the base. The cover I26 also has openings I40 for the same purpose.

The bridge I33 and body of the base I21 are drilled, as at Hi3 and I44, to provide a bearing for the shaft I2 I. The latter ispreferably steel, andsince the base I21 is brass, no bushings for the shaft are necessary, nor is lubrication required. The openings Hi3 and I44 can be formed at one operation, thereby assuring proper align ment. The height of the lugs I34 is such that the driving pinion hi5 (Figure '7) of the stall motor I28is disposed just above the bridge I33 and in line with the shaft I2I. Agear 56;) is mount- The stall motor unit I22 is best shown in;

ed for rotation on a screw stud I5I threaded into the boss- I32. The gear I. is securely fixedi to a brass pinion I53 journaled onthe 'studIEI, and the pinion I53 meshes with a. gear I54 disposed'between the bridge I33 and the body 'of the base I21. The gear'l54 carries a-oollar I55;

and a set screw I56 securely fixes the collar and gear to the shaft I2I The stall motor unit I22 is fixedly mounted-in position on the frame I by means of an angle bracket I60. To this end the cover. I 26 carries bosses I6I, two of which are apertured as at I62.

the opening 3 so as to dispose the win ding'member I I 8 in the plane of the operating link I04.

and the flexible element I I0 and insuch a.po'sition, that the element H0 winds uniformly; on

the member I I 8 when the stall motor 'I 28 is ener gized. The unit I22 is mounted out of the path of movement of the fan 26 but close enough to the fan so that, in operation, the air moving to-- ward the fan passes over the stall motor unit and keeps the same cool.

As will be understood, the unit I22: operates: upon the stalled motor principle, wherein. when the motor I28 is energized the shaft I2I isro tated through the reduction gearing, windingzthe element I I 0 on the member I I8zand pullingdown on the operating member IE4 against the'action. of the spring I06, thereby openingthe louvres 83..

In opening the louvres, the member I64 moves downwardly until it strikes the hingedportions of the louvres (see dotted lines, Figure 4), thus serving as a stop for the louvres and the stall motor. The spring I 06 is made strong enough to hold the louvres closed at all times when the fan is oiT, and. the motor I28 of the unit I22.is designed to exert sufiicient torque toovercome thespring I06 and hold the louvres open' when the fan is turned on, the motor remainingin this position so long as it is energized. Upon CFO; energization, the spring I 06. immediately exerts a pull on theoperating' member I04? and closes the louvres, low current consumption.

The fan motor 28 receives current through a pair of leads I10 and HI, an'd'the stall motor I28 is energized at the same time that the fanmotor 281s energized, resulting in the automatic opening of the louvres by the time the fan corneav up to-speed, the motor I28 positivelyholding the louvres open at all-times that the fan operates. Opening the switch I11 simultaneously deeneb gizes the fan motor 28 and the stall motor I26, whereupon the fan isshut down and the relatively powerful spring I06 immediately closes the vanes or louvres 83 and holds them tightly closed:

The conductors I 15 and I16 are connected to any suitable source of current; If' desired; the fan motor 28 and stall motorunit. I22 mav be arranged in series, instead of in parallel shown.

It will be understood that my invention isnot to be limited to the specific details'shown and described above, but that, in fact, widely'difier Screws I63 pass through the holes I62 to fix the cover I26 to the bracket, and one ormore; bolts I64 fix the bracket Ito the panel 2 below Such units are designed to have a.

ent means may be employed in the practice of the broader aspects of my invention.

What I claim, therefore, and :desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1.-A Ventilator comprising a frame, a plurality of louvres pivoted to said frame, means for opening said louvres, a fan and an electric motor for driving the same carried by said frame for directing a blast of air through said louvres when open, spring means biasing said louvres for movement into their closed position, a stall motor electrically connected with said first electric motor, a drum carried by said stall motor, and a cable extending from said louvre opening means to said drum whereby said louvres are opened against the action of said spring means Whenever said stall motor is energized.

.2. A ventilator comprising a fan, an electric motor for driving the fan, a plurality of louvres movable to open and closed positions in front of said fan, a stall motor mounted in the general path of movement of the air moving toward said fan, means for energizing said stall motor whenever the fan motor is energized, and drum and cable means connecting said stall motor to said louvres for opening the latter automatically whenever said fan is in operation, movement of the air past said stall motor serving to keep the latter cool.

'3. A ventilator comprising a panel having an opening therethrough, a bracket fixed to said panel at one side of said opening, a fan and an electric motor for driving the same supported on said bracket, a plurality of pivoted louvres mounted on the panel at the other side thereof and biased for movement into closed position shutting off movement of air through said opening, common operating means for opening all of said louvres, a stall motor, a drum for said stall motor, a cable operatively connected to said drum and said common operating means for opening said louvres, and electrical connections whereby said stall motor is energized whenever said fan motor is in operation.

4. A ventilator comprising a panel having an opening, a flanged casing secured to said panel at one side of said opening, a plurality of horizontal louvres pivotally mounted in the side flanges of said casing, a bracket secured to each louvre, a generally vertically disposed common operating member pivotally connected to each bracket, spring means anchored at one end to the upper flange of said casing and secured at its lower end to said common operating member for holding said louvres tightly closed, a pair of generally vertically" disposed U-shaped brackets disposed at the other side of said panel and having their ends extending generally horizontally and secured to said panel, afan and a motor for driving the same supported by said brackets in a position between the latter with the fan disposed generally within said panel opening, a second bracket fixed to said panel, a stall motor carried by said second bracket and having a winding member, said stall motor being disposed in the path of movement of the air moving toward said fan but below the latter, a sheave fixed to the lower flange of said louvre casing, there being an opening in said flange and an opening in the panel below said fan opening, a flexible element trained over said sheave and connected at one end to said operating member and at the other end to said winding'member, and means for energizing said stall motor whenever said fan motor is energized, whereby whenever the fan is operated said louvres are automatically moved to their open position against the action of said biasing spring.

5. A ventilator comprising a panel having an opening therethrough, a pair of supporting brackets fixed to said panel in laterally spaced relation to the panel at one side of the opening therein, a fan unit mounted on said supporting brackets, a plurality of pivoted louvres mounted on the panel at the other side thereof and biased for movement into closed position shutting off movement of air through said opening, means for opening said louvres, a stall motor unit fixed to said panel at said one side thereof between said pair of brackets, there being a second opening through said panel below said first opening, a winding member driven by said stall motor, a flexible connector extending from said winding member through said second opening to said louvre opening means, and electrical connections whereby said stall motor is energized whenever said fan moto is in operation.

6. A ventilator as defined in claim 5 wherein the louvre opening means comprises a common operating member which is connected to the central part of said louvres and the stall motor unit is supported on a bracket disposed to one side of the plane of said common operating member, said winding member and said flexible connector both being disposed generally in the plane of said common operating member.

'7. A ventilator comprising a panel having an opening therethrough, a pair of supporting brackets fixed to said panel in laterally spaced relation to the panel at one side of the opening therein, a fan unit mounted on said supporting brackets, a plurality of pivoted louvres mounted on the panel at the other side thereof and biased for movement into closed position shutting off movement of air through said opening, a third bracket fixed to said panel between said supporting brackets and below said panel opening, a stall motor unit including a casing having a cover fixed to said third bracket, a base carrying a stall motor, reduction gearing and a winding member driven from the motor by said reduction gearing, means securing the base to said motor, said stall motor bracket being fixed to said panel to dispose said winding member below the center of said louvres, a flexible member connected at one end to and adapted to be wound on said winding member, and means connecting the other end of said flexible member to all of said louvres for opening the latter.

8. A ventilator comprising a panel having an opening therethrough, a fan unit mounted on said panel at one side of said opening, a plurality of pivoted louvres mounted on the panel at the other side thereof, means acting against said louvres biasing them for movement into a closed position shutting on movement of air through said opening, common operating means connected to said louvres, a bracket fixed to said panel adjacent the plane of movement of said common operating means, a stall motor unit fixed to said bracket and including a base member disposed generally in a plane parallel to and adjacent the plane of movement of said common operating means and including an integral bridge section, the base and bridge section being bored to provide bearing portions, a shaft disposed in said bearing portions and carrying a winding member disposed in the plane of said operating means, and a stall moto and gear reduction means for driving said shaft, and a flexible connection between said common operating means and said winding member.

9. A ventilator comprising a frame, a plurality of louvres pivoted to said frame, means for opening said louvres, a fan, and an electric motor for driving the same carried by said frame for directing a blast of. air through said louvres when open, a stall motor electrically connected to said first electric motor, a drum adapted to be driven by said stall motor and a cable extending from said louvre opening means to said drum whereby said louvres are opened whenever said stall motor is energized.

10. A ventilator comprising a support, louvre means movably mounted on said support, a fan, an electric motor for driving said fan to direct a blast of air through said louvre means when open, a stall motor electrically connected to remain energized substantially the entire time that said fan motor is energized, speed reduction gearing driven by said stall motor, and drum-andcable mechanism establishing a flexible motion transmitting relation between said reduction gearing and said louvre means, said drum-and- 7 cable mechanism comprising a drum driven by said reduction gearing and a cable having one end arranged to wind upon said drum and having its other end operatively connected with said louvre means so as to move the latter to open position Whenever said stall motor is energized, said cable winding through successive turns upon said drum in the operation of said mechanism whereby to afiord additional speed reduction beyond said speed reduction gearing and also to provide a long range of operating movement for said louvre means within a relatively compact space.

HERMAN C. HUE'GLIN. 

